Stalls destroyed as Fire erupts at Corriverton Market

Pandemonium broke on Monday evening after a fire of unknown origin erupted at the Corriverton Market, Corentyne, Berbice, leaving at least four stalls devastated.
The fire reportedly started around 18:30h in one of the grocery stalls.
It then spread to other stalls thus resulting in their complete destruction. The fire also destroyed a section of the roof of the municipal market.
Corriverton Mayor Imran Amin told the media that he was informed about the fire and without hesitation, he rushed to the scene where he saw a blaze emanating from one of the stalls.

He said the fire subsequently spread to the stall on the left and one on the right. By the time the Fire Service was able to bring the blaze under control, four general grocery stalls had been gutted.
One vendor, Pradesh Ketwaru, who has been operating at the market for the past 20 years, said he was able to save about 20 per cent of the goods he had in stock. “When I came I see two stalls at the side of mine burning and mine started to catch.”

He expressed concern over the way the Fire Service handled the situation.
Another vendor, Chromani Chandradatt related that she left the market about 17:00h and went home to cook. While doing so, she received news that the market was on fire.
“My neighbour call me and tell me that near my stand get smoke coming out. By the time I come, my stand on fire. I could not save anything. Millions of dollars in groceries burn up,” she related.

As firefighters battled the blaze, scores of vendors flocked to their place of business as the news spread.
The firefighters were challenged to access the market due to vendors rushing in and out to save their goods. Later in the evening, several Government Ministers, including Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh and Minister within the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry, Anand Persaud met the affected vendors. (Andrew Carmichael)